Most of our youths took to the streets without permission from their parents to exercise their fundamental human rights. They are not fighting the police. They are not fighting the government, they claimed. It was a peaceful protest in most parts of the country. What was the problem? It was the brutality and oppression of the people by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) team. The youths took decision without any formal meeting to take their destiny in their own hands.
The swagger of Nigerian youths alone sent shivers down the spine of most observers including those in authority. Most observers remembered the Arab Spring protest in the Middle East, the protests in Thailand, Hong Kong and other parts of the world. Our youths- men and women- were prepared to let those in authority know that “the power of the people is stronger than the power of those in authority.” Fear God, fear Nigerian youths. The youths want public officers accountable. And to let those in the government know that they were elected by the people to serve them, not the other way around. The youths want justice for those killed and maimed unjustly; they want police brutality to end.
SARS is one of the police units established in 1992. It was set up to stem the surging wave of crime in Lagos State. It was under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force. The fear of SARS was the beginning of wisdom for criminals.
The common-sense of today, may not solve the challenges of tomorrow. This is the time to discard the traditional way of thinking. Those saddled with the responsibility of reforming the police should endeavour to do things right if unity and peace must reign in the country
At the mention of the name-SARS, every criminal must bow. The name sends shivers down the spine of criminals who saw the unit not just as an antidote to their atrocious acts but a countermeasure capable of sending them to their grave within the twinkle of an eye. After a while, SARS operatives changed tactics. They were not only after criminals but innocent citizens perceived to have the look of a “criminal” without investigation. In fact, any youth carrying a dreadlock, and in possession of a mobile phone or a laptop was seen as a criminal and an enemy of the state by members of the defunct SARS.
If you ask me, the problem with SARS is just a reflection of the larger challenge the country is facing, our contempt and disrespect for human life and dignity. When citizens were complaining about the alleged atrocities committed by the policemen in SARS, most of us did not pay particular attention to the brutality displayed by these gun-wielding and power-drunk policemen. In fact, it is unimaginable that some SARS operatives go off course their statutory duties as alleged, by using a Point-Of-Sale (POS) machine to extort money from criminals and innocent citizens in the country. Yet, the “police is your friend.”
Since SARS was established, is there a decline in armed robbery cases in the country? May be! Or maybe not. But in the last one decade or so, one thing is certain; that criminals who would have been armed robbers have diversified their portfolio into other “lucrative” crimes that are in some way socially acceptable such as internet fraud (yahoo-yahoo), kidnapping, product counterfeiting, terrorism, drug dealing, politics, prostitution and pimping, hooliganism and political thuggery among others. Since other forms of crime apart from armed robbery pays more, less risky and easy to get away with, it makes observers interrogate the societal problems that SARS solved as against the ones it created.
A governor from one of the states in the South-South region of the country noted that: “SARS have become criminal allies and daylight perpetrators of crime themselves. Its membership has grown beyond the control of their principals at the Force HQ. They are even feared by their colleagues in the police stations. Non-SARS police and senior colleagues dread them.”
“They have outgrown the institution. They see themselves as strongmen and that is the point most analysts and observers of our society have made over time.” According to some analysts, Africa has one of the strongest most prolific and intelligent men who produce unintelligent results when in a group or institutions. You don’t need to agree with those who peddle this view. All you need do is to have a deeper look at most societies in Africa, then you will notice that it is almost the same decay- police brutality. Perhaps that is why President Obama of the USA while on a presidential visit to Ghana in 2009 reminded us that “Africa does not need strong men. It needs strong institutions.”
While some of those in authority at various levels in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) pretended that everything was cool and calm, most SARS members were on the streets in most parts of the country hustling for their own crumbs of the “apple pie” instead of protecting lives and properties of innocent citizens. The NPF to an observer appeared happy with SARS members until the ENDSARS brutality protests commenced.
So far, the FG has accepted the demand of the protesters by disbanding SARS and ordered all operatives of the de-established unit to undergo psychological and medical examinations. In addition, they need reorientation and training for policing duties in a democracy. The Police high Command has announced the setting up of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) which will replace the disbanded SARS. It was affirmed that the former operatives of the defunct SARS will not be recruited into SWAT as the new outfit is to be strictly intelligence-driven and not embark on routine patrols. Our youths do not want SWAT. Can anyone blame them? All they want in a loud baritone voice is, “ENDSARS! ENDSWAT! Reform Police!”
The military, through the Coordinator Defence Media Operations was alleged to have issued another strong warning that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not condone unfolding event of thugs and miscreants against peaceful protesters. Accordingly, all thugs and miscreants were warned to desist from engaging in violent activities against peace loving Nigerians. Or face appropriate measures.
Good, but I sincerely urge the military to calm down on this matter. The military’s involvement in whatever form during the ENDSARS and end police brutality peaceful protests will escalate existing tension in the polity. Is the military prepared to face more than 100 million youths? It is very doubtful unless the military is ready for massacre which will be regarded as a crime against humanity. This is the time for dialogue, not the use of military force. My humble submission.
There is the geopolitical dimension to the protests. Some northern governors under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum have expressed opposition to the scrapping of the SARS on the grounds that the unit had played a critical role in stemming insecurity in the North. While there was protests against SARS brutality in the South and parts of North Central for a few days, the Chairman of the Forum argued for a reformation of the unit.
Like most Nigerians are saying, the ENDSARS protest provides a great opportunity to reform the police. In fact, I make bold to say that the police must be thoroughly reformed for the survival of democracy in Nigeria. The point I am making is that regardless of whatever is being done, the philosophy of policing needs to change with special focus on citizens’ protection rather than apprehension. As I write this article, news received shows that the Police Service Commission has recommended the dismissal of 37 SARS operatives from the NPF. While the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has apologised for silence on police brutality.
All said, to manage the crisis, the ENDSARS and/or ENDSWAT threats must be seen as an opportunity to reform the NPF. I align myself with those who suggested dialogue, constructive engagement and compromises as the acceptable and sustainable approaches to building a lasting peace in the country. The common-sense of today, may not solve the challenges of tomorrow. This is the time to discard the traditional way of thinking. Those saddled with the responsibility of reforming the police should endeavour to do things right if unity and peace must reign in the country. Our youths want action. Thank you.
